Château Gruaud Larose (Saint-Julien)
“The king of wines, wine of kings” …
a signature, a coat of arms, a style
Above all, a little history
It was in 1725 that the knight (and a priest) Joseph Stanislas Gruaud, thanks to an inheritance that he received, created this vineyard that was once the vineyard of the parish of Saint-Julien-de Reignac, a vineyard named “Fonbedeau” that was commonly called “Gruaud“.
The wine from this property has been earning fast success. So much so that in the late 18th century the Gruaud wine was present on the tables of all the royal courts of Europe.
At his death, and in a pre-revolutionary context, Joseph Stanislas Gruaud bequeathed his estate to one of his most faithful friends: The Lieutenant General Seneschal of Guyenne, Jean Sebastien Larose.
Unfortunately this new heir will die shortly after Knight Gruaud and leave behind reletvely numerous heirs. The fate will play a sad place on this property, all heirs and their children died one after the other in the space of 12 years …. all except one. However that only person remaining was engaged in a religious order, which deprived him of all rights to inherit.
Not existing alternative, it was sold by auction, the Court of Appeal of Bordeaux in a decision dated December 21st, 1812 declared the auction by bidding. Thus the property changed hands and definitely will proudly be called “Château Gruaud Larose.”
The new owners, Pierre-Balguerie Stuttenberg (A wine merchant from Bordeaux) and Jean-Auguste Sarget (A wine merchant from Bordeaux too) purchased the vineyard for a pittance.
It is at this point that the motto Gruaud Larose “the king of wines, the wine of kings” was invented by Baron Sarget. It has been listed on all labels.
The good relations between the two new owners had a short life. Few years after the purchase, their agreement deteriorates. Their Relationship becomes complex to the point that a second winery was built in the castle, cutting in half the production and distinguishing the production “Sarget” from “Balguerie-Stuttenberg.”
Currently the “Maginot line” wine (lane separation – see photo at left), a kind of injured history is still visible when visiting the buildings.
Since 1997, the castle is owned by the Merlaut family. Mr. Merlaut (also owner / manager of many wineries including Château Chasse Spleen, Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal, Chateau Ferriere, Chateau La Gurgue etc …) and the whole team of Chateau Gruaud Larose make a point of honor the respect of the environment, the soil and not yielding to different modes of wine but stay in the tradition of wine …. That is called the Gruaud tradition that has made its own reputation.
How to recognize that a wine is a Gruaud Larose?
What describes the wines of this property can not be summarized in one word, but in a triple alliance: An alliance of power and gentleness of tannins, fruit and gravelly soil, as well as a bunch aromatic rich and subtle at the same time.
In my opinion, Gruaud Larose is part of a very small circle of wines that are easily recognizable with eyes closed (as long as you have drunk it before, of course).
Side project:
Regarding wine tourism it just deepens what we had already proposed, offering the opportunity to participate in cooking classes that they. An match with wines from the property, offering tasting courses and tasting sessions as “wines & cheeses”.
At the vineyard the project is to better reflect differences in soils by working in micro-plots.
Side anecdote:
It all began in February 1872, the three-masted ship the “Marie-Thérèse” sailed from Bordeaux towards Saigon (Vietnam) in the hold with 2000 bottles of “Château Gruaud-Larose vintage 1865“.
At the Gaspar Strait (between Borneo and Singapore) the vessel struck a shoal which created damage. The captain and his crew decided to abandon ship and its precious cargo. They boarded boats to be rescued and three days later off the Thousand Islands (North Jakarta).
Far more than new …. Bouncing history, in 1992, 120 years later, the wreck was located and discovery. During the “tour” of the boat it was not only found pieces of wood but also many Chateau Gruaud Larose‘ bottles were found intact, ready to be opened.
What looks like a wine that has spent 120 years under the sea?
Developing a balanced wine with rich flavors of old wine including leather, orange peel, spices, port and tobacco.
As Mr. Merlaut said: “Everything can’t be said only by using words. The wine is also for sharing.” Thus I invite you to come to the property (an oenotouristic offer here) to discover and share around the tasting …. nothing better to make your own idea of a chateau.
Thanks to the team at Château Gruaud Larose for their hospitality.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
Château Gruaud Larose
33250 Saint-Julien-Beychevelle
+33 (0)5.56.73.15.20
